Why Does the Orthodox Church Value Asceticism? When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them two commandments: (1) to tend and keep the garden, and (2) to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. Both of these commandments were ways of practising asceticism. There were further instances of asceticism in the Old Testament, for example, with Jonah and the Ninevites. In the New Testament, we read about the ascetical life of St John the Baptist. Christ Himself fasted for forty days prior to starting his ministry, and at other times, he would retreat at night to pray. He had stated [...]

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on 25 December?   In the first century the Church did not celebrate the birth of Christ. It is important to remember that in the very first few years of the Church, the only feast days being celebrated were those to do with the death and resurrection of Christ: that is, Pascha. After a few decades the Church desired to also celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord on 6 January. This meant celebrating the fact that God took on human form and visited us: “God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us!” Later [...]

Does what we eat affect us spiritually?   I would answer yes. If we are full, if we have eaten many desserts and in general a big meal, it is more difficult to pray. To progress in prayer and in general to progress spiritually we need above all to be humble and to love, we need faith, but also self-discipline and ascesis helps. I feel that what you are asking about is fasting. If someone has significant medical problems or other hardships, then their spiritual father may advise them not to fast, or to fast in a modified way. Most [...]

Why do we baptise infants instead of waiting until they are older? There are people who say we should not baptise infants, rather we should wait until they come of age and they can decide for themselves. Why do we baptise infants? Holy Baptism and Holy Chrism join us to the body of Christ, to the Church. If you read the Service for Baptism you will see words that clearly focus on the protection of the individual from evil. The imagery used in the Baptismal Service even relates to weaponry. That is, Baptism is an “armour of righteousness” and a [...]

Why did Jesus say on the Cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”? W hen Jesus uttered these words, whilst hanging on the Cross, he was quoting the first line of Psalm 22. This Psalm is a remarkable prophecy of Christ’s saving passion, describing His pain and His utter kenosis (κένωσις, self-emptying) in a vivid prophetic description: For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for [...]